Casa Guide

The Waterdown Montessori School teacher is responsible for providing a Montessori classroom/instructional program that supports the individual needs of the children in accordance with the School’s mission and vision. The Waterdown Montessori teacher creates a well‑prepared environment and an atmosphere of learning and inquisitiveness designed to move students from one activity and level to the next. You will step back while the children are working, allowing them to learn from their own discoveries and draw their own conclusions.

Rather than supplying children with answers, you will ask them how they would solve the problem, actively engaging children in the learning process and enhancing critical thinking skills.
Dr. Montessori believed that the teacher should focus on the child as a person rather than on the daily lesson plans. Although our Montessori teachers plan daily lessons for each child, s/he must be alert to changes in the child’s interest, progress, mood, and behavior.
Subjects are interwoven and you must have a general understanding of history, art, music, math, astronomy, chemistry, physical geography, language, physics, geometry, and practical life works. As one of our teachers, you will give one‑on‑one or small group lessons and spend little time giving large group lessons. Lessons are brief and precise, meant to intrigue the minds of children so that they come back to learn more on their own.

Montessori lessons center around the most basic information necessary for the children to do the work: the name of the materials, where it can be found in the classroom and on the shelf, how to use the materials, and what can be done with them.
Teachers at Waterdown Montessori School are scientific observers of children. They avoid using rewards and punishments for good or poor work. You will never criticize or interfere in a child’s work and we recognize that it is only in a trusting atmosphere that a child’s personality has room to grow. Children must have the freedom to choose their own activities and learn to behave without restriction.
“The teacher, when she begins to work in our schools, must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal himself through work. She must free herself from all preconceived ideas concerning the levels at which the children may be. The many different types of children…must not worry her…The teacher must believe that this child before her will show his true nature when he finds a piece of work that attracts him.

So what must she look out for? That one child or another will begin to concentrate.”
Develops lesson plans and manages the learning experiences for students to ensure the needs of the groups and individual students are met.
Assists students toward self‑directed learning and normalisation.
Maintains a neat, well organised, and attractive prepared environment consistent with Montessori pedagogy.
Participates in professional activities designated by the Head of School, which may include workshops, curriculum retreats, meetings, grade reporting, planning, and other professional pursuits.
Attends all pre‑announced staff meetings and professional sessions, including staff, level, committee and, evening parent meetings.
Works to develop close and effective relationships with parents, including opportunities to discuss and understand the child’s individual progress; encourages them to bond with both the class and the larger school community; provides individualised tracking of student progress.
Participates in the admissions process, speaking from time to time with prospective families‑at the request of the Head of School.
Follows the school’s policies and procedures for student evaluation and record keeping, meeting all due dates as required.
Weekly Tasks   Double check all learning materials
Remove all items that need repair replacement or cleaning and disinfecting
Rotate books
Note needed janitorial services, work orders
Restructure classroom routine as needed
Plan how to use volunteers, parents or “special resource people” for next week
Update personal notes
Meet with co‑workers and Head of School to share ideas, plan and problem solve
Participate in staff meetings
Par…